Reconstructing roads in the Fens

[Bryn666]

One wonders why they haven't planted trees alongside the roads, as along some French roads, to aid with the consolidation and de-watering.

Much or perhaps even most of the B1104 between Prickwillow and Isleham which I mentioned upthread is tree-lined.

I’ll try and take a closer look the next time I go that way but I have the impression that may make things worse, with the roots producing ridges and settlement causing dips between them.

Also something else for muppets to crash into and kill themselves with.

[roadtester]

One wonders why they haven't planted trees alongside the roads, as along some French roads, to aid with the consolidation and de-watering.

Much or perhaps even most of the B1104 between Prickwillow and Isleham which I mentioned upthread is tree-lined.

I’ll try and take a closer look the next time I go that way but I have the impression that may make things worse, with the roots producing ridges and settlement causing dips between them.

Also something else for muppets to crash into and kill themselves with.

Well there is that as well, I suppose!

Today I had a little run over to March in Cambs, taking the A1101 from Littleport and then cutting across in a zig-zag along the B1100, B1098 and B1099. Most of those are very wavy as well.

[Fenlander]

One wonders why they haven't planted trees alongside the roads, as along some French roads, to aid with the consolidation and de-watering.

The very worst of the Tongue End road from Spalding to Bourne is along here where there are trees, the humps and dips coincide with the trees so I'm guessing it's as a direct result of the roots. There have been fatalies along the route but they're usually due to cars skating off in the winter at the bends.

[P Bellamy]

This article may be of interest.

Hod Fen Road has deteriorated massively in the last few months, especially at the Yaxley end where it's virtually impossible to get through without having to weave across to the opposite lane to avoid beaching your car at some of the particularly savage chasms.

[Mettie]

One wonders why they haven't planted trees alongside the roads, as along some French roads, to aid with the consolidation and de-watering.

The very worst of the Tongue End road from Spalding to Bourne is along here where there are trees, the humps and dips coincide with the trees so I'm guessing it's as a direct result of the roots. There have been fatalies along the route but they're usually due to cars skating off in the winter at the bends.

Apparently it’s because the willow trees haven’t been ‘managed’ properly, and are drawing too much moisture out of the surrounding ground, including under the road, although letting the nature reserve opposite return to natural undrained fen will supposedly reduce the issue somewhat.

About 10 years ago (two or three resurfacings ago) a fairly new colleague managed to ground a long wheelbased Sprinter down there twice, almost ripping off the underslung tail-lift from the back. Needless to say, we came back at a snails pace and in a weaving pattern... I’ve also met more than my fair share of vehicles leaving the ground down there over the years.

Anyway, I see your Counter Drain Road, and raise you Hobhole Bank, near Boston. The Lincolnshire equivalent of a day at Alton Towers!

[nowster]

Anyway, I see your Counter Drain Road, and raise you Hobhole Bank, near Boston. The Lincolnshire equivalent of a day at Alton Towers!

I recall the car advert about Belgians: "Even their corners are straight."

[skiddaw05]

Silly question, but do roads authorities/repairers use a different mix/grade of surfacing on roads prone to settlement?

If it's what I think it is the proposals in Cambs involve insitu recycling of the existing road surface, which is pulverized, churned up and then has some cement added, and this is then covered with chippings. The amount of cement in these cases will be quite low so the recycled construction isn't too stiff and can flex about with the moving ground without cracking. But ultimately you'll still end up with a rotten shape after a while.

[Bryn666]

Anyway, I see your Counter Drain Road, and raise you Hobhole Bank, near Boston. The Lincolnshire equivalent of a day at Alton Towers!

I recall the car advert about Belgians: "Even their corners are straight."

Hobhole Bank is the one with advisory 20 signs I referred to previously. You don't want to mess up unless you like driving into a very large river.

[Mettie]

You ventured down there on your tour then, Bryn?
It's not the worst one I've been along, but it is certainly in the top 5, and quite a bum clenching experience in winter...

[Bryn666]

I've ventured around that area yeah, there's some real doozies but Hobhole was the worst I found!

You should definitely put together your top 5 worst

[Norfolktolancashire]

Many of the minor roads in the Somerset Levels have the same problem. I pulled into this entrance to give way to a big artic (probably loaded with peat), it's motion as it came towards me (at under 20mph) really showed just how uneven the road is. Irritatingly the dashcam recording has only just overwritten.

Some of those Levels roads are so buckled that I can only drive at 20mph maximum! Nice scenery though.

[Bertiebus]

This article may be of interest.

Hod Fen Road has deteriorated massively in the last few months, especially at the Yaxley end where it's virtually impossible to get through without having to weave across to the opposite lane to avoid beaching your car at some of the particularly savage chasms.

I love the Fens so, en route dahn sarf in the summer, I took a little diversion off the A1 and drove my girlfriend along Hod Fen Road. Knowing what to expect, I took it cautiously but couldn't resist just one or two extra MPH. She had never been on the Fens (or indeed in Somerset) before and her face was a picture.

[B1040]

The B1050 South of Earith has suffered even more damage in the last few days.
There is a big dip on the Northbound side just after the start of the speed limit, it felt as if the car was about to leave the road. I was glad I'd cut my speed!

[B1040]

Closure on September 30th for "specialist resurfacing"

[rasingram2]

One wonders why they haven't planted trees alongside the roads, as along some French roads, to aid with the consolidation and de-watering.

Much or perhaps even most of the B1104 between Prickwillow and Isleham which I mentioned upthread is tree-lined.

I’ll try and take a closer look the next time I go that way but I have the impression that may make things worse, with the roots producing ridges and settlement causing dips between them.

They removed a large number of the trees on this road this year, before the recent repair. At the time I thought it was a bad idea, as it has resulted in high crosswinds in the open landscape, but maybe you are right, and they are trying to stop the roots affecting the surface.

[Big L]

This stretch of road near Altrincham is pretty bad for subsidence. I'm not sure there has been any mining in this area.

[Ruperts Trooper]

This stretch of road near Altrincham is pretty bad for subsidence. I'm not sure there has been any mining in this area.

Black Moss Road - isn't "Moss" a northern term for peat bog - and Cheshire is known for salt mines.

[wrinkly]

As far as I know the Cheshire salt mines are further SW, around the -wiches, Sandbach and Winsford.

Manchester is full of, and surrounded by, places with Moss in their names, indicating peat bogs as you say.

[B1040]

I drove along the Forty Foot Bank from Ramsey to Chatteris today. A couple of years ago, I was of the view that the 50mph limit was a little punitive. The road has deteriorated significantly since then, and I wonder if a lower limit will soon be necessary.

The unclassified road from Pondersbridge to Ramsey Mereside seems to be having weekly single vehicle accidents. No signs up warning of the terrible surface.

[A1OZZ]

The A151 between Spalding and Bourne now has no over taking signs near Twenty. Big cracks in the centre line with level differences in some places and increasingly bouncy.

King Street also getting to the stage where it is safer to drive down the centre.